The Perfect Enemy | COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths are ‘lagging indicators’ in trend analysis, Dr. Jennifer Ashton says

STAYING SAFE. GRACE: TOM, THE MAIN TAKEAWAY FROM HEALTH EXPERTS RIT GHNOW IS THERE’S NO DEFINITIVE ANSWER. THEY SAY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR OWN PERSONAL RISK IN MIND. ABC’S CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT JEN ASHTON TELLS NEWS NINE PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERTEN LEVELS OF IMMUNITY AT THIS POINT. IT COULD BE FROMATURAL N INFECTION OR VACCINATION. SHE SAYS TO TAKE CASE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. PEOPLE ARE NOT REPORTING THE OUTCOMES OF THEIR AT HOME TESTS. PLUS OMICRON GRANDCHILEN ASDR ASONHT CALLS NEW FORMS OF THE VARIANT, ARE MORE TRANSMISSIBLE. WHEN IT COMES TO HEADING OUT TO FUN EVENTS THIS TIME OF YEAR LI PKEROM OR GRADUATION, EXPERTS SAY IT’S ABOUT BALAE.NC >> IT’S SO IMPORTANT TT HATHEY ARE ABLE TO ENJOY THESE MILESTONES OF THEIR LIFE. AGAIN, IT’S NOT ABOUT AN ALL OR NONE SITUATION. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOKNU OW THEY’RE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE BUT LET THEM LIVE. GRE:AC 3 TO 5 DAYS AFTER ONE OF THESE HIGHER RISK EVENTS ASHTON SAY IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO T

COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths are ‘lagging indicators’ in trend analysis, Dr. Jennifer Ashton says

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a chief medical correspondent for ABC News, says that the fact that case numbers are rising while hospitalization and death figures remain flatter could be an indication of a more inoculated public, through vaccination, natural infection or both. But, Ashton warns, throughout the pandemic, hospitalization and death trends rose weeks after case numbers ticked up, so the rates should continue to be monitored.”One of my concerns is that we haven’t learned from the past two years,” Ashton said.She said case numbers should be taken with a grain of salt because people aren’t reporting the outcomes of their at-home tests. But cases do seem to be increasing, driven by what she calls “omicron grandchildren,” or new forms of the omicron variant that are more transmissible. When it comes to heading out to fun events this time of year, such as prom or graduation, Ashton said it’s about balance. “It’s so important that they are able to enjoy these milestones of their life, and so again, it’s not about an all-or-none situation here,” she said. “You want to make sure you know they’re as safe as possible, but let them live.” Ashton said it’s a good idea to take a COVID-19 test three to five days after a higher-risk event. Anyone who tests positive should take precautions against spreading the virus.See the full interview below:

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

But, Ashton warns, throughout the pandemic, hospitalization and death trends rose weeks after case numbers ticked up, so the rates should continue to be monitored.

“One of my concerns is that we haven’t learned from the past two years,” Ashton said.

She said case numbers should be taken with a grain of salt because people aren’t reporting the outcomes of their at-home tests. But cases do seem to be increasing, driven by what she calls “omicron grandchildren,” or new forms of the omicron variant that are more transmissible.

When it comes to heading out to fun events this time of year, such as prom or graduation, Ashton said it’s about balance.

“It’s so important that they are able to enjoy these milestones of their life, and so again, it’s not about an all-or-none situation here,” she said. “You want to make sure you know they’re as safe as possible, but let them live.”

Ashton said it’s a good idea to take a COVID-19 test three to five days after a higher-risk event. Anyone who tests positive should take precautions against spreading the virus.

See the full interview below: